Santos: Valley Water takes first step to address impacts of waterway encampments

Valley Water’s mission is to provide Silicon Valley with safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment and economy. To help achieve this mission, we are committed to protecting water quality and the environment from harmful activities.

In recent years, there has been an increase in encampments along creeks, waterways and lands owned or managed by our agency. These encampments can lead to significant amounts of trash and harmful pollutants, which diminish water quality, block stream flows and fish passage and harm wildlife habitats. Additionally, they can pose serious health and safety concerns for individuals without shelter, Valley Water staff and the broader community.

Our board recognizes the urgent need to address the environmental problems associated with encampments near our waterways. Every year, our agency invests millions of dollars to enhance the environment in these areas. However, activities like trampling, digging, removing plants and trees and the rising number of fires from encampments are harming and destroying important habitats we are trying to protect.

For these reasons, my fellow board members and I adopted an ordinance on Nov. 26, which establishes rules that prohibit camping and related activities on Valley Water land. The Water Resources Protection Ordinance will help us better manage the impacts of encampments and protect our field employees, who are essential for maintaining flood protection and water supply infrastructure. Our employees work in the field every day for the benefit of our community. They should not have to face verbal and physical threats while on the job. We hope this ordinance will ensure their safety at work.

I want to be clear: our board does not want to jail or fine people for violating this ordinance. To help with this, Valley Water developed a plan to implement the ordinance that focuses on non-harm principles. This plan includes a fair enforcement strategy, levels of priority for enforcement and “encampment condition guidelines.” These guidelines aim to help people living in encampments on Valley Water lands reduce harm to the environment and public health and safety. They also help unsheltered individuals avoid actions that could lead to serious enforcement measures. However, encampments and encampment-related activities that breach basic public health and safety standards must be dealt with urgently.

Our goal is for people to comply with this ordinance. Our staff is conducting widespread outreach to unsheltered individuals to ensure they understand the new rules.

Valley Water remains committed to working with local agencies and private partners to implement long-term solutions to address unsheltered homelessness within Santa Clara County. Our board has always supported housing efforts, and we’ve taken many steps to help find solutions to this complex issue.

One of our most recent actions was an agreement with San Jose to allow the city’s use of Valley Water’s two-acre property on Cherry Avenue to develop an emergency interim housing site. The city is also evaluating four additional Valley Water properties for use as safe sleeping sites.

Our agency is focused on working with local groups to find lasting solutions for unsheltered individuals and to protect our natural resources. Together, we can create a healthier and safer environment for everyone in Silicon Valley.

As always, I am available for questions or comments as your District 3 representative for the northern areas of Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, Alviso, Milpitas and the North San Jose and Berryessa communities. Feel free to contact me at (408) 234-7707.

Richard Santos is vice chair of the Valley Water board of directors.